Hello there! I'm Dr. Vinifera, or "Vinny" for short. Ask me your toughest wine questions, from the technical aspects of winemaking to the fine points of etiquette. I hope you find my answers educational and even amusing. Looking for a particular answer? Check my archive and my FAQs. You can also follow me on Twitter: @AskDrVinny.
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Dear Dr. Vinny,
What does the word "Sauvignon" mean? Just the word—not Cabernet Sauvignon or Sauvignon Blanc.
—Jeff S., Naples, Fla.
Nowadays, when you see the word "Sauvignon" appear by itself, it's usually referring to Sauvignon Blanc. As far as the origin of the word goes, it appears to have come from the obscure (and now obsolete) French words "servagnin" or "sarvinien," which were names in regional dialects for types of grapes or various grape varieties.
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